ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The Antigua & Barbuda Media Congress will be seeking to do some house keeping ahead of the International Press Institute (IPI) World Congress 2012 to be held in Trinidad and Tobago from the June 23-26.

The media association, which has being dormant for quite some time, will be re-organising its functions as it seeks to send a representative to the very important event.

President of the congress Collin James said the membership of the association has dwindled over time, but the time has come to re-focus its attention to fight the cause of media professionals in the country.

“It is incumbent on the members that are there to reactivate and make sure that the Media Congress plays the role that it was designed to and that role is to be an advocate for media workers in Antigua & Barbuda and support what initiatives our Caribbean brothers and sisters are doing,” James said.

James said the congress will be sending out pertinent information to all media professionals in the country, encouraging them to be a part of the congress and take part in the membership activities to be announced shortly.

Under the theme “Media in a Challenging World: A 360 Degree Perspective,” the 2012 IPI World Congress will examine the many challenges, concerns and opportunities currently facing the media around the world.

In addition to a compelling programme of topics that are timely and relevant to media work, the congress will also feature a stand-alone one-day workshop for established and aspiring investigative reporters covering corruption, a gala dinner, and an awards evening honouring IPI’s 2012 Free Media Pioneer and 63rd World Press Freedom Hero.

There will also be a range of festive social functions highlighting Trinidad & Tobago’s unique cultural and culinary delights.

This stellar lineup of moderators, speakers and panellists from print, broadcast and online media, as well as renowned figures from the fields of politics, business, academia and civil society, will debate, discuss and examine a wide range of topics through the lens of press freedom.

IPI is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists.

(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)